ECS (ABPTS) - Clinical Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist

The Clinical Electrophysiology Clinical Specialist (ECS) certification, offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), is a professional credential for physical therapists specializing in electrophysiological evaluations and interventions. This certification endorses a physical therapist's (PT’s) expertise in using electrophysiological techniques such as electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCS) and related procedures for diagnosis and treatment in physical therapy.

Eligibility

• Must be a physical therapist with a current permanent/unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in the U.S. or any of its possessions or territories

• Must submit evidence of 2,000 hours of direct patient care as a licensed physical therapist in clinical electrophysiology within the last 10 years, with 500 hours completed within the last 3 years OR completion of an APTA-accredited post-professional clinical residency  within clinical electrophysiology within the last 10 years

• Must submit a list of any individual learning experiences related to clinical electrophysiologic physical therapy practice completed within the past 10 years

  • Must submit a letter from a colleague who provided oversight of the educational experience

• Must submit 3 patient reports to be reviewed by a panel of board-certified PTs

• Must submit log of 500 most recently completed electrodiagnostic exams conducted within the last 10 years

Completion Time: Up to 6 hours with four 90-minute blocks and optional breaks in between

Cost:

• Early Bird Application (Deadline July 31): 

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member: $535

  • Nonmember: $880

• After July 31 (Deadline Sept 30):

  • APTA member: $635

  • Nonmember: 980

• Exam Fee (Deadline Nov 30): 

  • APTA member: $810

  • Nonmember: $1,535

• Reapplication Review (Deadline Aug 31): $180

Exam Format

The exam consists of 200, with candidates given four 90-minute sessions to complete 50-question blocks in each. Optional breaks are offered between sessions. Topics covered and the number of questions included on each topic are as follows:

• Anatomy (14)

• Neuroscience (14)

• Physiology (14)

• Clinical Sciences (18)

• Critical Inquiry (10)

• Professional Roles and Responsibilities (10)

• Examination: History, Systems Review, Reexamination (10)

• Examination: Tests and Measures (30)

• Evaluation: Normal and Abnormal Electrophysiological Characteristics (25)

• Evaluation: Interpretation of Abnormal Electrophysiological Findings (25)

• Diagnosis (10)

• Prognosis (10)

• Interventions (10)

ABPTS requires a scaled score of 500 to pass the ECS exam.

Renewal

Renewal is required every 10 years, but to maintain ECS certification, applicants must submit evidence of continuing competence every 3 years, called a Maintenance of Specialist Certification (MOSC) cycle. By June 30 of their certification's third, sixth and ninth year, ECS certificate holders must submit evidence of the following:

• Current unrestricted licensure as a physical therapist in the U.S. or any of its possessions or territories

• 200 hours of direct patient care acquired in clinical electrophysiology

• Participation in ongoing professional development or service within clinical electrophysiology

• Practice performance through clinical care and reasoning through submission of one case reflection portfolio

Completion of an APTA-accredited residency or fellowship program in clinical electrophysiology meets all requirements for one three-year cycle if completed during that three-year MOSC period. 

Once all requirements in each cycle have been completed, candidates are eligible to take the non-proctored recertification examination in year 10. The MOSC exam contains 100 questions.

Renewal Fees

MOSC Fees and Deadline for renewal include:

• APTA Members: $760 total

  • Three installments of $220 with each MOSC cycle submission, plus a $100 at-cost exam fee in year 10

• Nonmembers: $1,400 total

  • Three installments of $400 with each MOSC cycle submission, plus a $200 exam fee in year 10

Part of the renewal process includes professional development equalling 10 MOSC credits, with 30 credits total required by year nine. These credits can be earned within 3 activity categories, with continuing education (CE) as one option in category 2. Candidates earn 1 MOSC credit for every 10 contact hours of CE related to clinical electrophysiology completed.

Other Resources

• Candidate Guide

• General Resources

• Tips for Exam Day

• ECS Exam Outline

• MOSC ESC Exam Content Outline & Resources List

The ABPTS also offers the following:

• Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

• Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)

• Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)

• Board-Certified Oncologic Clinical Specialist (Oncology)

• Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)

• Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)

• Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)

• Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)

• Board-Certified Wound Management Clinical Specialist (Wound)